Michelle P. Ciotola

As Partner and Vice Chair of the Trademark & Copyright Department of Cantor Colburn, Michelle Ciotola concentrates her practice on counseling, protecting and enforcing trademark, trade dress, copyright, and related intellectual property rights, as well as counseling clients in unfair competition, Internet, advertising, and promotions law.

She assists clients in the development and exploitation of their trademark portfolios, including clearance of marks; prosecution of trademark applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; and identifying important overseas jurisdiction and filing or coordinating with local counsel for protection and enforcement of marks in those jurisdictions. Michelle develops strategies for the enforcement of her clients’ intellectual property rights, including preparing demand letters, negotiating settlement agreements, handling opposition and cancellation actions before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and coordinating and overseeing litigation with local counsel around the world. She also develops strategies for enforcement of her clients’ intellectual property rights online, including handling Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy proceedings. Michelle files and prosecutes applications for copyright registration with the U.S. Copyright Office and advises clients on copyright law. She represents clients in trademark due diligence. She drafts and negotiates a wide range of intellectual property agreements, including assignments, licenses, and trademark consent and coexistence agreements.

Michelle is an active member of the International Trademark Association (INTA). She was instrumental in the development of INTA’s law student ambassador program and the annual meeting scholarship program. She is a frequent speaker at the Career Development Day (formerly Academic Day) at INTA’s Annual Meeting.

News

Cantor Colburn partner Michelle Ciotola was quoted in the article "CT lawsuit tests Google's keyword search ad treatment," (Hartford Business Journal, February 19, 2018) about the lawsuit filed by Edible Arrangements against Google, in which Edible Arrangements demands $209 million in damages and other penalties for trademark infringement and unfair competition and trade practices. Ciotola is chair of the firm's Trademark & Copyright Department.

On October 19, 2016, more than 30 artists attended a seminar on “Creativity and the Law,” presented by members of Cantor Colburn’s Trademark & Copyright Department. Working with the Greater Hartford Arts Council, a nonprofit supporting arts organizations for more than 45 years, these artists were invited to a seminar about the basics of copyright protection as it relates to their art and livelihood.

Michelle Ciotola, an attorney in Cantor Colburn LLP’s Trademark & Copyright Department, was selected for inclusion in the forthcoming Top Attorneys of North America edition of The Heritage Registry of Who’s Who, a biographical publication that selects and distinguishes leading professionals throughout North America who have attained a recognizable degree of success in their field of endeavor and thereby contribute to the growth of their industry and profession.

Ms. Ciotola, who was promoted to Counsel at the firm this January, concentrates her practice on counseling, protecting and enforcing trademark, trade dress, copyright, and related intellectual property rights, as well as counseling clients in unfair competition, Internet, advertising, and promotions law.

Michelle P. Ciotola co-authored the article "Fuzzy Jury Instructions Affected 'Blurred Lines' Case, High-Profile Dispute Reveals Nuances in Music Copyright Laws," published in The Connecticut Law Tribune on April 20, 2015. The Marvin Gaye estate won a $7.4 million judgment after months of legal drama regarding the Robin Thicke / Pharrell Williams song “Blurred Lines,” which they claimed was stolen from Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” Pelletier and Ciotola's article highlights the importance of properly instructing a jury in the intricacies of Copyright Law.

Trademark Counsel Michelle Ciotola comments in IP Law 360 on the significance of the Supreme Court's January 21, 2015 ruling in Hana Financial Inc. v. Hana Bank. The court unanimously ruled that so-called trademark tacking is a factual question that should be dealt with by juries.

Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce the election of four new partners, the promotion of five associates to counsel and of one paralegal to associate. The new partners are Victor Kernus, Jaehoon Kim, Howard Levy, and Jeffrey Waters. The new counsel are Eric Baron, Michelle Ciotola, Krista Kostiew, Karen LeCuyer, and Jamie Platkin. Chris Whalley was promoted from Intellectual Property Paralegal to Associate. The promotions are effective January 1, 2015.

Michelle P. Ciotola, a trademark associate attorney at Cantor Colburn, has been selected as a Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star in intellectual property for 2014. This is her fourth year receiving this recognition.

Hartford, Conn. — Cantor Colburn will host the September 2014 International Trademark Association (INTA) Trademark Assistant (TMA) roundtable, The Office Action: A Challenge or a Cinch?, in the firm’s Hartford office on September 11th.

Cantor Colburn LLP has been recognized by 10 different organizations and publications- which heralded 14 attorneys in particular- for excellence in their work in 2013. The Legal 500 has applauded the firm for its “solid reputation in the market of providing an excellent level of service, and having an excellent value for money.” From accolades for the firm as a whole to specific recognition of Cantor Colburn attorneys in diverse practice areas within the field of intellectual property, the firm has enjoyed an abundance of recognition in 2013.

Events

Michelle Ciotola will attend ASIPI Rio 2018. She is a partner and Vice Chair of Cantor Colburn's Trademark & Copyright Department. She is an active member of INTA, ECTA, and MARQUES, and her practice encompasses all aspects of trademark and copyright law.

Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner, and Michelle Ciotola, Partner and Vice Chair of the Trademark & Copyright Department, will attend the ECTA's 37th Annual Conference in Athens, Greece. ECTA (the European Communities Trade Mark Association) promotes the knowledge and professionalism of members and owners alike in the fields of trade marks, designs, copyright and other IP rights within the European Union.

Cantor Colburn's copyright attorneys are pleased to partner with the Greater Hartford Arts Council and present a copyright basics seminar for artists in all media. This session will inform artists about the rights and protections available to them regarding their creations.

The 2017 INTA (International Trademark Association) Leadership Meeting, November 7-10, 2017 in Washington, D.C., brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals. It offers them an advanced-level educational program and the opportunity to conduct business and network with colleagues from around the world.

The New York Intellectual Property Law Association presented Hot Topics in IP Law, Trademark Ethics 101: Investigations, Advance Consents and Terminating Client Relationships at the Princeton Club in New York City on July 19, 2017. Gerard F. Rogers, Chief Administrative Judge of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, spoke at the event.

The 2016 INTA Leadership Meeting, November 15-18 in Hollywood, Florida, brings together INTA volunteer leaders once a year to advance the Association’s objectives and goals. It offers them an advanced-level educational program and the opportunity to conduct business and network with colleagues from around the world.

INTA is a global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce.

Cantor Colburn presents a seminar for artists on copyright law through our partnership with the Greater Hartford Arts Council, entitled "Creativity and the Law." Cantor Colburn attorneys will show the importance of using intellectual property law, especially copyright law, to protect artists.

Michelle Ciotola, Partner and Trademark & Copyright Department Vice Chair, will attend The MARQUES 30th Annual Conference that takes place on September 20-23, 2016 in Alicante, Spain. This year's conference theme is BRANDS versus TRADEMARKS - TRADEMARKS versus BRANDS. Many of the sessions will address different aspects of this question, focusing on the legal issues and challenges of brands vs trademarks.

Trademark Counsel Michelle Ciotola gave a presentation entitled “What They Didn’t Teach You in Law School about Trademark Law” during the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2015 Career Development Day.

Cantor Colburn will host the September 2014 International Trademark Association (INTA) Trademark Assistant (TMA) roundtable, The Office Action: A Challenge or a Cinch?, in the firm’s Hartford office on September 11th.

Trademark Counsel Michelle Ciotola gave a presentation entitled “What They Didn’t Teach You in Law School about Trademark Law” during the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2013 Career Development Day.